A RAILWAY FAREWELL.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 285, 10 December 1907, Page 5

A RAILWAY FAREWELL.

A gathering of from 70 to 80 railway employees and others met at the Masonic Hotel last evening on the occasion of a farewell social and presentation tendered to Mr F. Meacham who has been for the past three years running shed foreman at Palmesrston North, and who has now been promoted to Ohristchuroh.

Mr Pearson, Locomotive Engineer, Wellington, Napier, and New Plymouth, occupied the chair, and Mr W. T. Wood, M.P., and Mr Smith, the local stationmaster, were among those present. Apologies for nonattendance were received from the Mayor, Messrs Stringleman, Gavly, and Hepworth, and Devlin. Mr Lβ Grange proposed the toast of Parliament. Mr Wood in reply referred to the length of the late Parliamentary session and the importance of the work done which had included the railway classification. The toast of the guest of the evening was proposed by Mr Pearson, wqo said he was going to lose one of his most efficient officers and starting men in Mr Meacham. He concluded by presenting him on behalf of the Locomotive staff with a marble cldbk together with a set of fish carvers for Mrs Meahem. Several other speakers congratulated Mr Meachem on his promotion and, while regretting his departure, wished him all good luck. Mr Meacham thanked them for the handsome presentation. Hβ had had a very pleasant time in Palmerston Isorth and had never worked among a finer crowd of men.

Other toasts honoured were the Loco Department, proposed by Mr Wood and responded by Mr Pearson; The Press, proposed by Mr Robson and responded to by Mr Nash ; the Traffic and Maintenance Depta., proposed b Mr Meacham and responded to by Messrs Smith, stationmaster, ind Mr Trewick, Inspector of Permanent Ways, who both referred eulogistically to Mr Meacham and wished him prosperity; the Host and Hostess, proposed by Mr Sharman and responded to by Mr Mulroouey. Songs were sung by Messrs Melville, Stratton, Gatfield, Duiin, Pood; Bowden, Pickering, Fraser, Hanley, and Darling, and a duet by Messrs Pickering "and Dunn. Mr P. O. Hanley accompanied." Mr Meacham was similarly entertained at Taihape last week.